Cracking trim pieces

[Nordgeist]

Does anyone else have this problem? All the black plastic interior trim pieces are spontaneously cracking. The center console that runs down the center of the cabin between the seats has cracked in two places; the speaker surround behind the passenger seat has cracked in half a dozen places; the plastic between the the two roll bars that runs down to the hand brake has a giant crack down the middle... what's going on?? I don't track my car and I'm pretty careful with it generally.

Does this stuff just get old and literally rattle to pieces? They're expensive to replace, and I hate to think the new pieces are going to spontaneously crack in a few years' time as well...

[rsutoratosu]

Yes, lots of cracking.. it is the norm.. I dont know if you are able to use the hot staple plastic repair and repaint it.. not much you can do at this point.

[bwright657]

Unfortunately the plastics and rubber will dry out with age. For roadsters, it can be even worse with additional sun exposure. For your pieces that are still intact, use a good quality interior cleaner with UV protectant like Nextzett Cockpit Premium.

[AustinZ4]

So they dry out and crack. Is there a good place for replacement parts and pieces? I have seen a few online and the center console piece alone was hundreds of dollars.

[garto87]

I had this problem a few years ago and more pieces have cracked since. I went ahead and looked on car-part.com for the pieces I needed and then called to see if I could get more of the interior. If you buy enough of them you end up getting a great deal. I bought the interior of a extended leather roadster for $1k which included the center console tunnel, rear console, rear plastic (speaker behind seats) and even the leather pillars/above windshield trim.

Worked out great and saved on shipping since they just put it on a pallet and they gave me a discount since they were able to sell a bunch of things at once. It did take me a few weeks to source though - some places had ridiculous prices but hey its still better than buying new. Also if you do buy used leather bits, you can find a seller on ebay that sells just the leather wrap so if the leather is all messed up, you can rip it off and replace. Not very hard but takes a lot of time (and contact cement).

[DRandall]

yes. I’ve recently broken the rear console latch button…the plastic clips that hold on the metal sill plates, a cracking windshield cowl and various mounting clips, plastic “rivets” and retainers. 20 year old plastic exposed to heat, cold and UV….and I am gentle with my car. It’s just what happens…

[jpwbrown]

I have to replace my cowl and windshield trim for the 4th time!!!